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Food Allergy in Infants and Children |
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Allergy to cow’s milk is particularly
common in infants and young
children. It causes hives and asthma
in some children. In others, it can
lead to colic and sleeplessness, and
perhaps blood in the stool or poor
growth.
Food Allergy in Infants and Children
Allergy to cow’s milk is particularly
common in infants and young
children. It causes hives and asthma
in some children. In others, it can
lead to colic and sleeplessness, and
perhaps blood in the stool or poor
growth. Infants are thought to be
particularly susceptible to this allergic
syndrome because their immune
and digestive systems are
immature. Milk allergy can
develop within days to months of birth.
If your baby is on cow’s milk formula, your healthcare
provider may suggest a change to soy formula or an elemental
formula if possible. Elemental formulas are produced from
processed proteins with supplements added (basically sugars
and amino acids). There are few if any allergens within
these materials.
Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe glucocorticosteroid
medicines to treat infants with very severe GI reactions to milk
formulas. Fortunately, this food allergy tends to go away
within the first few years of life.
Breast feeding often helps babies avoid feeding problems
related to allergic reactions. Therefore, health experts often
suggest that mothers feed their baby only breast milk for
the first months of life to avoid milk allergy from developing
within that timeframe.
Some babies are very sensitive to a certain food. If you are
nursing and eat that food, sufficient amounts can enter your
breast milk to cause a food reaction in your baby. To keep
possible food allergens out of your breast milk, you might
try not eating those foods, such as peanuts, that could cause
an allergic reaction in your baby.
There is no conclusive evidence that breastfeeding prevents
allergies from developing later in your child’s life. It does,
however, delay the start of food allergies by delaying your
infant’s exposure to those foods that can prompt allergies. Plus,
it may avoid altogether food allergy problems sometimes seen
in infants.
By delaying the introduction of solid foods until your baby
is 6 months old or older, you can also prolong your baby’s
allergy-free period. Speak to your healthcare provider for
specific instructions on when to add specific food groups
to your child’s diet.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 )
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